Charles to continue football career at East Texas Baptist

For Patterson two-sport standout Sirbatian “Chubb” Charles, signing a scholarship to play college football took longer than he would’ve liked, but he did so last weekend, inking a national letter of intent to attend East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, Texas.
“I was getting recruited by a few schools, but when my coach left, things just stopped,” Charles said. “Don’t get me wrong, I love coach (Chad) Blanchard. We had a special relationship, and he was working hard for me, because a lot of schools had concerns over my size.”
Blanchard resigned in December 2015 after two seasons as head coach with Charles as his starting quarterback. The duo amassed an 18-7 record, including a quarterfinal appearance in 2014 and a regional round playoff appearance in 2015.
The two-time district offensive most valuable player finished his two-year starting stint completing 265 of 413 passes (64 percent) for 4,162 yards with 59 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions. He also rushed 225 times for 1,102 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Despite his slight stature, Charles started every game of his two seasons as signal caller for the ’Jacks. He wrapped up his senior season as the District 8-3A Most Valuable Player and a Class 3A honorable mention All-State selection by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.
He completed 134 of 210 passes (63.8 percent) for 2,052 yards with 27 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also rushed 129 times for 669 yards and five touchdowns.
As a junior, Charles led the team to the quarterfinals of the state playoffs, completing 131 of 203 passes (65 percent) for 2,110 yards, 32 touchdowns and six interceptions. He also rushed 96 times for 433 yards and five touchdowns.
Charles also was named the District 9-3A Offensive Most Valuable Player as a junior as well as honorable mention Class 3A All-State by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association.
“He was a two-year starter for us, and he had another great season,” Blanchard said after the season. “Threw for over 2,000 yards last year. Threw for another 2,000 this year. … He provided another element for us this year in that we were going to need him to run the ball a lot more. … He led us in carries. He carried the ball over 120 times, and we did it because it’s part of his talent base. He can do it. He always has. … He’s a natural leader. He’s a great kid. His work ethic is fantastic, and we’re hoping that some colleges take a shot on him.”
Well, East Texas Baptist did just that, and Charles is anxious to complete immediately.
“They have two sophomore quarterbacks coming back, and they said I could jump in the mix if I come in, work hard and produce,” Charles said.
East Texas head coach Scotty Walden said he liked what he saw from Charles.
“I am very excited Sirbatian has decided to continue his academic and athletic career here at ETBU,” Walden said. “Sirbatian has great poise, a high/quick release and the ability to extend the play. This makes him a dangerous weapon offensively.”
East Texas Baptist’s size and close knit community grew on Charles. Plus, the Tigers added a familiar face last year. Former Patterson standout and assistant coach Tank Calais serves as Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive backs coach at East Texas.
“It is good to have someone you know and trust on the coaching staff,” Charles said. “He calls me or FaceTimes me a couple times a week.”
The Tigers already were recruiting Charles before Calais joined the staff.
Charles, who also played baseball at Patterson, said he hasn’t given up the possibility of baseball in college.
“I have the opportunity to try out for the baseball team after football is done,” he said. “While I love playing football, I also like baseball, too, and I’ve done both since I was a little kid.”
He was a Louisiana Sports Writers Association Class 3A honorable mention all-state selection as a pitcher in 2015. Charles was the ace of a record-setting pitching staff.
He’s not, however, playing high school baseball this season because of an injury.
“I just had to get some loose cartilage removed from my shoulder, so I will be healthy going into college,” he said.